Santos Cup launches 2026 Season: Driving professionalism and gender equality in PNG Rugby League

The 2026 Santos Cup, Papua New Guinea's premier domestic women's rugby league competition, has officially launched its third season, marking a significant milestone for athlete development, empowerment, and elite pathways in the sport. Since its inception in 2024, the competition has rapidly evolved, with the 2026 season highlighting a strong push towards the professionalization of women's rugby league.

Six franchise teams will compete across eight regular rounds, followed by an intense finals series. A key focus this year is gender equality, evident in the league's structure. All players are secured on part-time contracts, providing essential financial stability. Furthermore, women now constitute 50% of the coaching staff across the league. Notably, all six franchise managers for the 2026 competition are women, alongside an increasing number of females in critical medical and high-performance roles.

"We are building not just a competition; we are transforming our national sport into a truly inclusive platform for excellence," stated PNG NRL Competition Chairman Adrian Chow. "Our vision is simple: better people, better sport, and a better nation." The league's success is further demonstrated by the fact that last year's grand final featured two female head coaches, and all six franchise managers this year are women.

With the 2026 Rugby League World Cup on the horizon, the Santos Cup serves as a crucial elite environment for national squad selection. The domestic pipeline has already proven effective, with 18 junior players progressing to the senior national squad. The long-term ambition includes establishing a permanent PNG women's team in Australian competitions. The tournament continues to receive substantial support from international and corporate stakeholders, including naming-rights sponsor Santos, which has invested K3 million directly.

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We are building not just a competition; we are transforming our national sport into a truly inclusive platform for excellence. Our vision is simple: better people, better sport, and a better nation.